Cards Reshuffled

There is an old saying, stating that ‘The Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend’. This sounds good, but isn’t necessarily the truth. Far too often, the enemy of my enemy is yet another enemy.

Excerpt from ‘Ruminations Of A Master Bard’

Aerie folded her hands in the wide sleeves of her yellow and orange robe as she seated herself on the bed, smiling innocently at Yoshimo. Look unthreatening, that is the key. The bounty hunter was leaning against the wall on the far side of the room, watching her cautiously with his dark and slanted eyes. He was fingering the hilt of his katana in what looked like an idle gesture, but the Avariel didn’t doubt for one second that he meant it as a warning. “Y-yes, Yoshimo?” she asked. “What was it you…you wanted to talk to me about? Do you…do you need some healing?” He suspects something, I know it. Just let him put his faith in me and I’ll soon hold his heart in my hands. Literally.

Yoshimo smiled, a brief grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “No, little fox. I try to take good care of my self, I do not need your healing.”

“Why…why do you call me that?”

“Little fox?” Yoshimo cocked his head curiously to one side. “Ah, that is a story in itself, little fox. In Kozakura, my home, there are the creatures we know as the fox ladies. Beautiful women they look like, with flowing silver hair, glittering eyes and sharp little teeth between lips as red as blood. But they are not real women, they are the spirits of foxes, and they are not friends of men. With their sweet voices and their sweet smiles they gather the men around themselves like flies around a honey pot, yes? But this honey is poison, and the fox ladies are hollow inside, like old and rotting tree stumps. They will eat the souls of men, leaving them empty shells like themselves. They remind me of you, little fox. Or perhaps you remind me of them.”

“M-me? But I…”

“But what, little fox? Do you not have a pretty little face and a pretty little voice? And do you not know how to use them well, to sing your sad little songs?” Yoshimo’s customary relaxed attitude had given way to something else now, a wary tension. He didn’t take his eyes off Aerie for one second. “Yoshimo is a hunter of bounties,” he said. “And should he have to, he will not mind hunting foxes.”

Should I kill him now? Aerie wondered. No. Not yet. First I must find out exactly what he knows, or thinks he knows. “You…you are frightening me!” she cried out, putting her hand across her mouth as she allowed her eyes to widen with fear. “Why are you s-saying such horrid things to m-me?”

“Very good, little fox,” the bounty hunter said, once again with that good-natured smile. “You are very, very good. But with me, there is no need for singing. Whatever your game is, know this. You may sing to the ranger and the priest, should you desire it. To the druid as well. But you will not cause harm to our fiery young leader. I will not allow it, do you understand? Her well-being is important to me, and I will do anything within my power to see that she safely reaches her lost friend. Anything.”

The world stood still for a moment, suspended between one breath and the next. Aerie stared into those dark eyes in front of her, trying to read the man’s emotions, but his eyes were like mirrors, reflecting everything, revealing nothing. Could it be? Does he have feelings for the Bhaalspawn? It is possible…but I had not got that sense before, and I can usually tell. What else then? What game is he playing? He claims not to want me to harm her – but what of his own intentions? Perhaps the Shadow Thieves are not content with watching from a distance? It would make sense that they would have an agenda of their own, one not necessarily coinciding with the Bhaalspawn’s best interests, and it is suspicious that they would offer their help as they did. And he is a rogue. The Shadow Thieves might think that nobody will suspect him, a seeming outsider of being their agent. I must be patient. It would be premature to act now, he suspects something but knows little, and I must learn what I can of him in turn. And when I know more, then he will regret not slaying me outright. “I…d-don’t understand what you mean,” Aerie said, making her voice timid and small. “You…you scare me.”

Yoshimo nodded briefly. “Good,” he said, giving her a small bow. “If that is true, then we need not trouble each other. But I think you understand very well, and I hope you will remember this talk, little fox.” He drifted out the door, chuckling quietly to himself.

Aerie slowly exhaled, clenching her fists along her sides. Oh, I will. I will remember it all, and when I have you screaming in front of me I will repeat this conversation back to you, word for word. But no time for fantasy now. I have no time to lose.

Hardly had the door closed behind the bounty hunter before Aerie hurriedly cast a spell, disappearing from sight as she cloaked herself in invisibility. He will expect me to huddle in here, wrapped up in resentment, anger, even fear. He will expect me to lick my wounds, and dream of revenge. But he will not expect me to act, not so quickly. Another spell, and the shadowy image of the corridor outside appeared before her inner eye, Yoshimo’s form outlined in bright red as he disappeared down the back stairs. Satisfied, the Avariel let the divination fade so it wouldn’t interfere with her regular vision, and then quietly slipped outside. Pity I do not have my wings at the moment, as willing as I was to sacrifice them for my Mistress. It would have been very entertaining to descend upon him from above.

A short while later Aerie hurried up the stairs again, feeling extremely pleased with herself. If she could move swiftly enough she would get exactly what she wanted. Yoshimo had been too arrogant, trusting in his ability to intimidate her and in his ability to conceal his own activities. Unwise of him to do so. I have crossed weapons with worse than him. Giggling quietly to herself Aerie pounded hurriedly on the door to Zaerini’s room, making herself look frantic with worry. Within moments she could hear footsteps inside.

“Who is it?” the bard asked. She sounded wary, cautious. That was good; it should put her in the proper frame of mind.

“It…it is I, Aerie! Please, oh please, you m-must open quickly! We are in terrible d-danger!”

The door was hastily pulled open and the half-elf looked out, her golden eyes shining in the gloomy corridor like those of some sleek predator. She looked tired, she had dark circles beneath her eyes, and her hair was mussed. “Aerie?” she said. “What’s wrong?” Behind her Jaheira appeared, giving the elf a disapproving look.

“It…is Yoshimo! Oh, please come quickly! I saw him go outside and…and…please come!” That sounds about right. A little disjointed, panicked but determined to do the right thing.

“Yoshimo?” Jaheira snapped. “What about him? Speak, girl, quickly!”

“He…he is t-talking to somebody outside, somebody bad. Hurry, you may c-catch him yet!”

The two half-elves exchanged a hurried look, and then Jaheira snarled out a curse. “Damned bounty hunter! I knew we should not have trusted him!”

“Never mind,” the redhead cut her off. “We have no time to argue. Aerie, show us. Quietly.”

Smiling inwardly behind her frightened face, the Avariel nodded and turned around, running so swiftly down the stairs that her feet barely touched them. Once the three women had pushed through the crowd in the common room they found themselves in the dark street outside. The smell of refuse and filth was nauseating, and rats scurried here and there searching for food. “Over th-there,” Aerie said in an almost inaudible voice, trusting that her companions would be able to hear her even if their ears weren’t quite as sensitive as those of a real elf. “Can you…can you s-see him?” She extended a small hand, pointing into the shadows at the two shapes she could see there, hidden in a dark alley, indistinct human forms, glowing bright red as her eyes discerned their body heat.

Zaerini nodded, and for a moment her eyes flared with even brighter fire than before. Then her form shifted and blurred, to be replaced by that of a red cat, its fur the exact color of her hair. The animal slipped into the shadows, as quietly as one of them. Jaheira’s mouth narrowed, and then she made a rapid gesture, following her friend’s example. Her face elongated, sprouting fur, growing larger ears and sharp fangs. Then a wolf stood where she had stood, watching Aerie with glittering green eyes. It turned around and glided after the cat.

My word…the Avariel thought. That the druid should have such a power is not surprising, but that the Bhaalspawn should do so as well? I had not expected that. She hurriedly recast her spell of invisibility, and then followed the two shape-changed half-elves towards their intended goal.

Yoshimo was standing with his back towards the alley mouth, and he was speaking in a quiet voice with a strange woman. Aerie couldn’t see much of her face, since it was hidden in a deep hood, but her low and sultry voice was clearly audible. “You are placed properly in position then?” she asked. “There have been no problems?”

The bounty hunter shrugged briefly. “Nothing of great consequence. I have it all well in hand. Though I should not take too long, or one of them might miss me.”

“Yes…that would not do. You know your orders?”

“I do. I will watch, remain alert and report Zaerini’s movements back to you.”

The woman laughed. “That’s a good boy. The ones we both serve will be pleased to hear you are so…obedient.”

Aerie noticed Yoshimo shifting his feet about a little, as if he was feeling uncomfortable. Interesting…there are undercurrents here for certain. “I serve as I am bid,” the Kozakuran said in a stiff voice. “As do you.”

Another brief laugh. “Not quite the same, as we both know. But come now…tell me what Zaerini’s next plans are.”

“She is impulsive,” Yoshimo said, his voice neutral once more. “She may change her mind, but as of now her intention is to speak with the Cowled Wizards on the morrow, to try to learn where her friend Imoen is being held. After that, I assume she will seek some way of raising the money Bayle demands.”

“Yes…most probably. You will aid her then, for now. Should that change, you will be told. Good night, Yoshimo. Sweet dreams…” The woman waved briefly, then walked off.

Yoshimo stood motionless for a moment, staring after her. “I think,” he whispered, “that I may have made a very grave mistake.”

“Really?” another voice answered him, hot with anger. “Funny coincidence. I know you have.” Despite the darkness Aerie could see the bounty hunter’s face turn gray with shock as Zaerini materialized in front of him, seemingly rising up out of nowhere as she returned to her normal form. Behind her Jaheira appeared. The druid’s teeth were bared in a silent snarl, and she looked as if she were about to rip the Kozakuran’s throat out using only her teeth. “Traitor!” she spat. “Give me one reason why we should not kill you where you stand.”

“I…” Yoshimo said, for once without a glib line handy. “You do not understand…”

“I think I understand enough,” Zaerini said, drawing her sword. “You were setting me up, selling information. Well, if the Shadow Thieves are such good friends of yours, I suggest you go join them. I don’t ever want to see your face again.”

“Shadow…Shadow Thieves?”

“Don’t think I don’t get it. You were so very knowledgeable about them, and I’m sure they’re interested in keeping tabs on me. And they were attacking Irenicus’ torture pit too, where we so conveniently happened to run into you. Did you know you’d find us there, or was it just a lucky break for your masters?” The bard shook her head. “No, don’t bother answering. It makes no difference. I liked you, which shows how stupid I am I guess. If it hadn’t been for Aerie warning me…”

“Aerie?!” The bounty hunter had his katana out in a flash, and his accent thickened with anger. “That…that little fiend! What did she say? What did she tell you?”

Snapping her fingers to dispel the invisibility, Aerie allowed herself a triumphant smile before she appeared to the others. “I…I told her the truth, you…you m-monster! That you are a bad, evil person who cannot be t-trusted! A…a mean, h-horrid liar! It was so lucky I happened to…to see you sneak out here to…to do nasty, wicked things.” Yes. So very lucky. Now they will never believe you, no matter what you should try to say about me. You could have spotted me performing the secret rites of Loviatar herself, and they still would not trust in your word.

Rage and incredulity flickered across Yoshimo’s face for a moment. “You…have the gall to…” Then he composed himself again. “Very well, little fox. I concede, for now. Zaerini, I know this looks…compromising…but everything is not as it seems. If you should wish to speak with me at some later time, Bernard at the Coronet will know where to find me. Unless you wish to fight me now?”

“No,” the half-elf said in a stony voice. “I don’t. Just…get out of here.” She murmured something to herself that sounded like ‘Looks like the Moon and the Hermit were just around the corner.’ Aerie frowned. She had no idea what that meant, and she didn’t like that.

Yoshimo nodded, and then bowed to all three women in turn. Aerie was pleased to notice that the bow she received was the deepest of them all. “I will see you again, perhaps. My congratulations, little fox. You have earned Yoshimo’s respect, if not his gratitude.” He turned around, and within moments he had disappeared within the shadows.

“Thank you Aerie,” Zaerini said after a moment, smiling faintly at the Avariel. “I must admit, I wouldn’t have thought you capable of a thing like this. Well done.”

Yes! I am in! She may not love me yet, but this will certainly help make her trust me. “I…I am s-simply happy I was able to h-help,” the elf said, smiling modestly. And that I was able to rid myself of a dangerous opponent. From now on, you are mine. “And…and now we’re all going to be so good friends! I just know it!” Right up until the moment I start flaying your skin off, inch by inch, my little ‘friend’. But for now, I want you to trust me. Both of you. Trust is such a beautiful, fragile thing. And I love breaking beautiful fragile things, particularly live ones.